Lock mechanism



July 23, 1929. H. N. SLEDGE LOCK MECHANISM Filed Aug. 5, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Henrylv- Sledge,

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July 23, 1929. SLEDGE 1,722,062

LOCK MECHANISM Filed Aug. 5, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR k q- 44 HenrgN Sledge,

H. N. SLEDGE LOCK MECHANISM july 23, 1929.

Filed Aug. 5. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 v INVENTOR Henry N S18 dye BY I M gforamzvs Patented an as, teas.

HENRY N. SLEDGE, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

LOCK MECHANISM.

Application filed August 5,

This invention relates to lock mechanisms.

At the present time when holdups are prevalent, bandits will enter a store and compel the clerk or cashier to operate the combinatiolr. of a safe lock and open the safe. In such holdups, speed is essential since the bandits obviously want to make a quick getaway.

This invention has for its salient object to provide lock mechanism so constructed and arranged that a considerable period of time must elapse after the manual operation of a look before the lock bolts or bars are withdrawn and the door controlled by the lock mechanism can be opened.

Another object of the invention is to provide lock mechanism so constructed and arranged that the locking members are moved by manually operated means to locking posltion and are moved by power operated means to unlocking position, the power operating means for moving the locking members to unlocking position being set in operation by the manipulation of the manually contiblled means.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following specification taken in connection with the drawings, which form a part of this application, and in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a small safe or cabinet having locking mechanism in its door constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the cabinet shown in Fig. 1, the front plate of the door being removed to show the locking mechanism, the locking members being shown in unlocking position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the locking members in looking position;

Fig. at is a sectional elevation taken at right angles to Fig. 8;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view partly in section showing the clock Work for operating the locking mechanism;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view similar to Fig. 2, but showing another embodiment of the in vention; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation showing in plan the operating and control mechanism shown in Fig. 6.

The invention briefly described consists of locking mechanism comprising .lockin members adapted to be movedby manual y controlled means into locking position and power operated mechanism for withdrawing the 1926. Serial No. 127,192.

locking members from locking position. The power operated 'means is set in operation by the manually controlled means and is so constructed that a considerable period of time must elapse before the complete withdrawal of the locking members. After the power operated means is set in operation, the with drawal of the locking members is entirely outside of the control of the person desiring access to the safe or cabinet. In one particular form ot the invention shown, clock mechanism is utilized for the power operated means and is so arranged that the movement'of the locking members to locking position, winds up the clock spring, thus storing up power to withdraw the locking members. Further details of the invention will appear from the following description.

Description of structure shown in Figs. 1 to 5.

In the particular form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5, there is illustrated a small safe or cabinet 10 having a door 11 hinged thereto by pivot pins 12 disposed at one end of the cabinet.

The locking mechanism is all carried by the door 11 and is mounted between a front plate 13 and a rear plate 14c. Upper and lower walls for the door are shown at 15 and 16 and end walls are shown at 17 and 18.

The door is locked by means of a plurality of locking bars 20 which are integrally formed with a central disk 21 secured to the spindle 22. The bars or arms 20 are adapted to extend into recesses 23 formed in the bottom, top and one side wall of the cabinet. A. handle 24 issecured to the front of the door for opening the door after the locking mechanism has been moved to unlockin position. A stop 20 may be provided to Timit the movement of the arms 20 to locking position.

Manual control mechanism.

The locking bars 20 are controlled in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 by manually operable control means. This means consists of a reciprocable rack 25 slidably mounted in a guideway 26 carried by a frame 27 secured by screws 28 to the rear plate 14 of the door. Bushings 29 surround the screws and are positioned between the frame 27 and the plate 14. The rack 25 has a lug or screw 30 secured thereto and projecting through a slot 31 formed in the front wall of the guideway 26. The lug 30 is so disposed as to engage the upper arm of bar 20 and when the rack is actuated to the left, the engagement of the lug with the upper arm or bar 20 will swing the arms 20 and central disk 21 in an anti-clockwise direction moving the arms to locking position.

The rack 25 is actuated by ineansof a pinion 31 which is controlled by a key 32 having a reduced end adapted to enter a recess 33 in the hub 34 of the pinion and having laterally extending lugs adapted to engage pins 35 secured to the outer face of the pinion. It will be understood that any desired form of key may be used.

The operation of the power operated mechanism for withdrawing the locking members is controlled by a spring finger 38 which is connected to move with the rack 25. The rack as above described is adapted to reciprocate in the guideway 26' which issecured to the front of the frame 27. The rear wall of the guideway 26 and the frame 27 are shown as recessed at- 39 and a lug 40 extends rearwardly through the recess and also extends downwardly as shown at 41, the spring finger 38 being secured to the lower end of the extension 41.

Power operating mechanism.

In the particular form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5,.clock work mechanism is shown for withdrawing the locking bolts. This mechanism is mounted in a frame of the usual construction which consists of a front plate and a rear plate 46 and connecting frame members or posts 47. A clocksprin ,48 is mounted on the spindle 22, one end 0 the spring being fixed as shown at 49. The inner end of the sprin is connected to a ratchet wheel 50 engaged y a pawl 51 carried by a gear 52. The gear 52 is connected through a gear 53 to drive a gear 54 which in turn drives gears 55 and 56. Gear 56 drives gears 57 and 58 and gear 58 meshes with a gear 59 connected to an escapement wheel 60. The wheel 60 is controlled by the usual escapement lever 61 which in turn is controlled by a balance wheel 62. The mechanism just described is the usual clock work mechanism and need not be set forth in further detail.

In order to wind the clock when necessar theispindle 22 is extended rearwardly an threaded as shown at and a winding key or crank may be fitted on the extension 65. It will be understood without further explanation that when the spring is wound, the ratchet wheel 50 will rotate with reference to the gear wheel 52 and will be held in its wound position by the pawl 51.

From the showing in Fig. 3 it will'be noted that when the arms 20 are moved to locking position, the spring finger 38 rests on the top of the balance wheel 62 and prevents the operpositioned in the start the balance wheel rotating, thus setting in motion the clock mechanism.

' Operation.

.The structure shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive operates in the following manner. Fig. 2 shows the looking mechanismin unlocking position. In order to lock the door; the key 32 is inserted in thekey slot 63 in the door and the key is rotated in an anticlockwise direction. This will cause the rack 25 to move to the left and will cause the lug 30 to rotate the arms 20 in an anti-clockwise direction to locking position. At the same time, the spring finger 38 will engage the balance wheel 62 and prevent the balance wheel and the clock mechanism from operatmg. tated in an anti-clockwise direction, they will rotate the spindle 22 and the ratchet 50 and will tend to wind up the spring 48, thus storing up power in the clock spring.

In order to cause the withdrawal of the locking arms or bolts 20, the key must be Description of structure shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the locking mechanism com prises radially disposed arms which are mounted on a spindle 71 connected to be operated by clock work mechanism similar to that-shown in Fig. 5. The movement of the arms 70 is controlled by a slidably mounted detent 72 which in turn can be controlled by any suitable key or combination lock mechanism. The detent 72 has an extension 73 which is adapted as shown in Fig. 6 to be path of movement of the arms 70. When the detent extension 73 is withdrawn, the clock work mechanism will start the rotation of the arms 70 in an anticlockwise direction to withdraw the arms from looking position. The extent of movement of the arms 70 is controlled by a lug 75 carried by a slide bar 76 which in turn is connected to the extension 73. \Vhen the detent extension 73 is withdrawn or moved to the right in Fig. 6, the arm 76 will also be moved to the right and the lug 75 carried by Furthermore, as the arms 20 are roaraaoea from each of the arnis 70. When the arms are moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig.6, one of the lugs 77 will engage the lug and the movement of the arms will be stopped, the arms then being disposed in unlocking position.

When the detent 72 and the extension 73 thereof and the bar 76 are moved to the left, the lug 75 of the bar 76 will move out of the path of movement of the lug 77 carried by the arms 70 again permitting the arms to rotate until one of the arms engages the detent extension 73 and further rotation is prevented.

The bar 76 also has a lug or finger 80 extending rearwardly therefrom and positioned to engage the top of the balance wheel 81 which corresponds to the balance wheel 62 shown in Fig. 5. The finger 80 is adapted to wipe'over or move across the top of the balance wheel when the bar 76 is moved to the left or to the right, thus starting the balance wheel in operation. In both extremes of movement of; the bar 76, however, the finger is free of the balance wheel and does, not impede the oscillation thereof.

Operation of the structure shown. in Figs. 6 and 7.

' Assuming that the locking members or arms 70 are in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6, or, in other words, are in looking position, in order to unlock the door, the detent 72 and extension 73 thereof will be moved to the right by any suitable lock control mechanism. As the extension 73 moves out of the path of one of the arms 70, the clock work mechanism which has been started in operation by the wiping action of the finger 80 on the balance wheel 81, will rotate the arms in an anti-clockwise direction to the dotted line position in which the lug 77 carried by one of the arms engages the lug 75 on the bar 76. The arms will then be unlocked.

In order to lock the door, the detent is moved again toward the left, thus moving the lug 75 out of the path of movement oi. the lug 77 and permititng the arms 70 to again rotate under the action of the spring until one of the arms engages the extension 73. Thus it will be seen that in this embodiment of the invention, the locking arms 70 are moved both to locking and unlocking position by power derived from the clock spring.

From the foregoing specification it will be seen that simple and practical means has been provided for controlling the unlocking of a safe or cabinet door. Such a safe or cabinet may be used as an adjunct for a cash register and surplus funds may be deposited in the safe at any time through an opening in the top1 of the safe as shown in Fig. 1 or in any ot er suitable manner.

If a robber enters the store or other of business and demands that the sa e be opened, the clerk or cashier can place the key in the slot 63 and rotate the key but will inform the bandit or robber that the opening of the door is under the control of a time lock and that the door will not open until the clock work has operated to unlock the locking mechanism. In other words, after the key has been turned, the cashier or clerk has done all that he can to open the door and the door cannot be opened until the necessary time has elapsed.

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Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood that the invention is capable of modification and that changes in the construction and in the arrangement of the various cooperating parts may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, as expressed in the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. Lock mechanism comprising locking members, manually operable means for moving said members to locking position, and power operating means connected to said members for moving said members to unlocking position, the movement of said locking members to locking position bysaid manually operable means operating to store up power in said power operating means.

2. Lock mechanism comprising locking members, means for moving said members to locking position, and a spring motor operable to move said locking members to unlocking position, the movement of said members to locking position operating to wind up said spring motor.

3. Lock mechanism comprising locking members, means for moving said members to locking position, a spring motor operable to move said locking members to unlocking position, the movement of said members to locking position operating to wind up said spring motor, and releasable means for holding said spring motor inoperative.

4:. Lock mechanism comprising locking members, means for moving said members to locking position, a spring motor operable to move said locking members to unlocking position, the movement of said members to looking position operating to wind up said spring motor, and releasable means for holding said spring motor inoperative and for starting said motor in operation.

5. Lock mechanism comprising locking members, means for moving said members to locking position, a spring motor operable to move said locking members to unlocking position, the movement of said members to looking position operating to wind up said spring motor, and single means for holding said spring motor inoperative and for starting ing position operating to wind up said spring motor, and releasable means, carried by the means for moving said-locking members to locking position, for holding said spring motor inoperative.

7. Lock mechanism comprising locking members, means for moving said members to locking position, a spring motor operable to -move said locking members to unlocking position, the movement of said members to locking position operating to wind up said springv motor, and single means, carried by the means for movin said locking members to locking position, or holding said spring motor 1noperative.

8. Lock mechanism comprising locking members, ower operating means for moving said mem ers to unlocking position, and manually controlled means independent of said locking members for setting said power operating means in operation.

9. Lock mechanism comprising locking members, manually operable slidable means for moving said members to locking position, power operating means for moving said members to unlocking position, and means controlled by said manually operable means for setting said power operating means in operation.

10. Lock mechanism comprising locking members, manually operable means movable relative to said locking members for moving said member's to locking position, power operating means for moving said members to unlocking position, and means controlled by said manually operable means for setting said power operating means in operation.

11. Lock mechanism comprising locking members, manually operable means for moving said members to locking position, power operating means for moving said members to unlocking position, and means carried by said manually operable means for setting said power operating means in operation.

12. Lock mechanism comprising locking members, manually operable means for moving said members to locking position, power operating means for moving said members to unlocking position, and means carried by said manually operable means for holding said power operatlng means inoperative and for setting said power operating means in operation.

13. Lock mechanism comprising locking members, manually operable means for moving said members in one direction and to locking position, said means being movable independently of said locking members in the reverse direction, ower operating means for moving said mem ers to unlocklng positlon,

and means controlled by said manually opera verse direction, power operating means for moving said members to unlocking position, and means controlled by said manually operable means for holding said power operating means inoperative.

15. Lock mechanism comprising a structure to be locked, locking members carried thereby, manually operable means carried by the structure for moving said members to locking position, said means being movable independently of said locking members in the reverse direction, power operating means for moving said members to unlocking position, and means controlled by said manually operable means for holding said power operating means inoperative and for setting said power operating means in operation.

16. Lock mechanism comprising pivoted locking members, manually operable means engageable with said members and movable relative thereto for moving said members to locking position, said means being movable independently of said locking members in the reverse direction, power operating means for moving said members to unlocking position, and means controlled by said manually operable means for setting said power operating means in operation.

17. Lock mechanism comprising a structure to be locked, locking members therefor, manually operable means movable relative to said structure for moving said members to locking position, said means being movable independently of said locking members in the reverse direction, power operating means connected to said members for moving said members to unlocking position, and releasable means for holding said power operating means inoperative.

18. Lock mechanism comprising a structure to be locked, locking members carried thereby and movable relative thereto, manually operable means for moving said members to locking position, said means being movable independently of said locking members in the reverse direction, power operating means for moving saidmembers to unlocking position, and single means controlled by said manually operable means for hold ing said power operating means inoperative and for setting said power operating means in operation.

19. Lock mechanism comprising locking members, manually operable means movable into engagement with said locking members for moving said members to locking position, said means being movable independently of said locking members in the reverse direction, power operating means constantly connected to said members for moving said members to unlocking position, and releasable means for holding said power operating means inoperative.

20. Lock mechanism comprising a structure to be locked, locking members pivoted thereon, manually operable means for moving said members to locking osition, said means being movable indepen ent-ly of said locking members in the reverse direction, power operating means for moving said members to unlocking position, and means controlled by said manually operable means for setting said power operating means in operation.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 3rd day of August, 1926.

HENRY N. SLEDGE. 

